University of Phoenix - Financial Aid

Anthony of Shelton, CT March 28, 2009

Anthony of Shelton CT (03/28/09)
My daughter was told that because of her age (23) that we had to fill out an application for a PLUS loan, then send a letter stating that we did not want the PLUS loan, which we did. Then we were told a loan was issued in error and that the school would pay it back. We were told the loan was repaid in December by the school. Now I find out there is an outstanding balance of over 1000 plus late fee penaltys.

We are being told by Sallie Mae thst we had an outstanding balance of 1212 plus late fees of 315 and that this is going into collection and on my credit report

Ana of Rayville, LA March 25, 2009

Ana of Rayville LA (03/25/09)
University of Phoenix's Financial Aid Counselor returned funds that I borrowed from Sallie Mae without any reason (I fully met the criteria for borrowers)which resulted in a cancellation of my loans with Sallie Mae. When the University of Phoenix first posted the receipt of my loan disbursement, the amounts did not match the amounts that I borrowed and were confirmed by Sallie Mae as being sent to the University. An amount between 100-200 dollars was unaccounted for. Then, University of Phoenix billed me for the full amount I had borrowed because they had returned the majority of it to Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae will not say who they dealt with or their reasons. University of Phoenix says it is Sallie Mae's origination fees that are causing the discrepancy.

I have spent numerous hours on the phone and email trying to straighten this matter out. Now, I am not only unable to continue my education with University of Phoenix until I pay them 6,781.60, but also owe Sallie Mae 3,330. Something isn't adding up and I am not getting the degree I am being asked to pay for.

Mary of Ferron, UT March 21, 2009

Mary of Ferron UT (03/21/09)
I just want to say I was glad I found your site. All the promises about financial aid that I have seen on your site from former UOP students is exactly what I was told. I read in Business Week the number of lawsuits that this school has had for the same things the folks on your site have spoken about. I was made lots of promises even that I could get almost 2 Masters for the price of one.

Any way you have saved me a lot of money. I do see how they get folks in: They tell you your covered, but the catch is you start classes before your financial is is cleared (I was told at least 90 days) so you rack up money and then you don't get the aid they said you get. I was also told that I would get back for supplies, etc. about 2300. The told me my tuition would only be 18,000 for a masters program, but based on their tuition costs posted at their website I was actually looking at 25920 for 36 hours. This also caused some concern for me. I hope that some of these folks who have posted do file suit.

I lucked out. Your site and reading what others have gone through at UOP save me money -- I'm 56 and was going back to school to advance in my company. I'll take my chances on advancement without spending the money especially at UOP. University of Phoenix is extremely unthical. Ironically the first class they signed me up for talks about ethics. They need to take their own classes.

Matthew of Taylorsville, UT February 16, 2009

Matthew of Taylorsville UT (02/16/09)
I have been attending the university since 2004. I have graduated with a BS in Criminal Justice Administration and currently taking my MBA through the university. I certified my financial aid for the academic year I was attending. Now, I had walked in May of 2008 but officially graduated in July of 2008. I started my graduate work right after I finished my undergraduate studies.

 Because I started my graduate work within 30 days of finishing my undergraduate work I have to come out of pocket to pay almost 2000 because of some type of overlap in certifying financial aid years. I don't see this as my problem because I took the right steps and asked the right questions. My first question to my financial aid advisor was Will my financial aid continue without having to start paying it back right of way. She had told me that I was ok and everything will be fine. Then I aksed he if it is ok if I start my graduate work right after my undergraduate work and she stated there will be no problems.

Well, now we have a problem and she sent it to me in an email and not a professional courtesy to call and set up a meeting. I am prepaird to take this all the way to the top of the chain of command in the university's financial aid department. Those of us struggeling out here to make it in the world should never give up.

The financial damage is to my family. How do I come up with 2000 in a matter of 2 months. I don't get paid a lot of money as it is. As a the only member in the family working and trying to raise a family of 4 in hard times such as now. They want me to pay out of pocket for something that wasn't my fault. The physical damage was to me when I was alerted of the problem over an email. My stress level had increased and my muscle tension had started all over again. How do I stay in school and keep my family a float in these hard tmes?

Diana of Adamstown, MD February 15, 2009

Diana of Adamstown MD (02/15/09)
I wanted to provide a follow-up to my experience with UOP's financial aid problem I posted on 2/09/09, so that others don't find themselves in the situation. My financial aid advisor finally called and explained why I owed 3555 to UOP. When I receive a disbursement of financial aid (also known as Stafford Title IV loans), you are awarded the funds in good faith that you will meet the attendance and credit requirements. You have a commitment to stay in class and receive passing grades. When this doesnt happen, per federal guidelines, all of your funds for the second half of your academic year are returned to the lender. Then, based on federal guidelines, a financial aid officer will determine if you have earned? any of the financial aid funds and what your balance is, that is due to the school.

Out of four classes, for the second half of the academic year, I had completed one class, receiving a non-passing grade in another class, withdrew from the third class, and did not attend the fourth due to monies owed to UOP. Monies I was not aware I owed. It was determined that I owed 3,555. To my surprise I came learn that the monies I had paid, which I assumed were towards the failed and dropped class was in actuality for tuition that my financial aid had not covered. My classes totaled to 6,480 and financial aid had only covered 4,860. No one had every bothered telling me this, until I started questioning why I owed 3,555.

For those of us who depend on financial aid to cover the cost of classes, this is something I should have been told. I would have not enrolled if I had known that I would be short 1620 each period of the academic year. So, if you rely fully on financial aid paying for your classes, make sure that everything has been explained to you. I am now left with a 3,555 debt. I am returning back to a traditional school, which offers classes online. UOP won't release my transcripts until I pay the balance off, but it doesn't matter because non of the credits are transferable.

One last thing UOP has its own internal collection agency and the person I spoke with to arrange payments and the person I spoke to was extremely rude. My advise to all ask question, make you keep in touch with your academic counselor and that he/she is communicating back. Most important make you financial aid counselor explain everything to you regarding your financial aid. Don't be surprised as I was.

I've been given only 9 months to pay the balance, which will create a financial hardship. All due to them not informing me properly. I know that eventually I will be paying on my student loans, but I wasn't expecting to be coming out of pocket for expenses I was not made aware of until I decided to withdraw.

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